JCU researchers forced to adopt new funding tactics

James Cook University (JCU) researchers say an increasing number of academics are having to find alternative ways to fund new projects after a cut in Government research grants.

The research team says it needed $20,000 to develop a new and simple way to detect the soil-borne disease melioidosis almost instantly.

After a Government funding application failed, the team started an online campaign to find the funds but only secured half of the amount.

JCU scientist Alanna Sorenson says it feels like her research has gone to waste.

"A bit yes, because it probably won't happen now unless we manage to, well the people after me I suppose, manage to be more successful in getting some funding," she said.

"We did get a good response I suppose but because it's always mostly small pledges of money, you need lots of people to agree to give some to add up to enough and I think partly the time of year didn't help us either but we were pretty much forced to do it after we didn't get the funds we were after."